Melbourne City FC will be looking to return to form in the Westfield W-League when it takes on Newcastle for the first time this season on Sunday afternoon.
Tickets are still available for what will be our second last home match of the season, click here to get yours now!
The clash
It’s a quick turnaround for the City women, who will be in action just two days after hosting Western Sydney at Frank Holohan Reserve.
It was far from the way fans, players and coaches alike were hoping the Club’s foray into the South East would begin, with the visitors from Western Sydney spoiling the party and recording an 0-4 win.
The final whistle has sounded and Western Sydney take the points.
We don't have to wait long for a chance to bounce back, we'll return to the pitch on Sunday afternoon when we take on Newcastle at Kingston Heath.#CmonCity #MCYvWSW #WLeague pic.twitter.com/ZEdkch1GIP
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) March 11, 2021
It wasn’t all doom and gloom for City though, with Melissa Barbieri returning to the pitch to make her first W-League appearance since 2017.
With Teagan Micah out due to a slight knee injury, Barbieri was called into action and she showed she hasn’t missed a beat, making a number of strong saves. To be completely fair to the W-League veteran the scoreline wasn’t a true indicator of the shot-stoppers performance on the night.
.@Bubs_11 is still setting records!🤯
Last night she became the oldest player to ever appear in the @WLeague! 👏👏#CmonCity | 🎟 https://t.co/6OEbX7UiFF pic.twitter.com/HoJm11RLQx
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) March 12, 2021
16-year-old Naomi Chinnama also received her second consecutive start and continues to grow as a player, showing a maturity and calmness beyond her years in her defensive duties.
City will be aiming for a much better result on Sunday when it takes on Newcastle, a team who has also had its fair share of struggles so far this season.
The Jets have picked up two wins but do come into this game off the back of one of those; a strong 0-4 win away from home against Perth.
A Sunny Franco brace as well as goals to Lauren Allen and Rhianna Pollicina got Newcastle over the line, and these attacking players will need to be watched closely by Chinnama as well as fellow defenders Tori Tumeth, Jenna McCormick and Emma Checker.
Team News
City on Saturday announced the signing of young goalkeeper Sophia Varley and she has been included in the squad. Margot Robbine has also been promoted to the extended squad while Teigen Allen is also in and is a chance to return from injury.
Teagan Micah will again miss as she nurses her knee injury but is expected to recover in time to play Perth next week.
Melbourne City FC squad
3.Teigen ALLEN, 5.Tori TUMETH, 6.Noor ECKHOFF, 8.Hollie PALMER, 9.Alex CHIDIAC, 10.Chinatsu KIRA, 11.Rhali DOBSON, 13.Sarah CAIN, 14.Margot ROBINNE, 15.Emma CHECKER (c), 17.Samantha JOHNSON, 18.Leah DAVIDSON, 9.Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC, 20.Lia MULDEARY, 21.Jenna McCORMICK, 22.Naomi THOMAS-CHINNAMA, 23.Melissa BARBIERI (gk), 30. Sophia VARLEY.
In: 3.Teigen Allen (returns from injury), 14.Margot ROBINNE (promoted), 30.Sophia VARLEY (promoted).
Out: 1.Teagan MICAH (knee).
Unavailable: 1.Teagan MICAH (knee), 4.Chelsea BLISSETT (ACL), 12.Harriet WITHERS (ankle), 16.Sofia SAKALIS (ACL).
Match Details
Westfield W-League Round 12
Melbourne City FC v Newcastle Jets
Sunday 14March, 4.05pm kick-off
Kingston Heath Reserve
